Nigeria’s Medical and Dental Council has provisionally suspended the director of Euracare Hospital in Lagos and two other doctors following the death of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s 21-month-old son, Nkanu Adichie-Esege.
The toddler, one of twins, died on January 7 after complications during preparatory medical procedures. An MDCN investigation panel found a prima facie case of medical negligence against Euracare and Atlantis Hospital over the child’s care.
“The decision is part of our regulatory responsibility to maintain professional standards,” the council said.
Dr Munir Bature, publicity secretary for the Nigeria Medical Association, confirmed the suspensions, adding that the doctors could permanently lose their licences depending on the tribunal’s findings.
Medical council suspends Euracare’s director, two doctors over death of Chimamanda’s son
The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) investigation panel has suspended Euracare’s medical director and two doctors over the death of Chimamanda Adichie’s son.
Nkanu… pic.twitter.com/c6tt5VokWM
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Adichie’s family accused the hospital of denying oxygen and administering excessive sedation, which they claim caused cardiac arrest. The hospital expressed “deepest sympathies” but denied wrongdoing.
An inquest into Nkanu’s death begins April 14 at Yaba Magistrate Court, where medical experts and hospital representatives will testify.
The case has sparked broader debate on patient safety and medical accountability in Nigeria.
The health ministry acknowledged “systemic challenges” in the healthcare system and announced a national task force on clinical governance and patient safety.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is one of Africa’s most influential writers, known for novels Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah and the essay We Should All Be Feminists, sampled by Beyoncé in Flawless.
In 2015, Time named her among the world’s most influential people.
